BREAKING: Court Stops Rivers Assembly From Constituting Impeachment Panel Against Fubara

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Chike-Amaewhule, and 32 other defendants from taking further steps towards the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu.

The suit was filed separately by the governor and the deputy governor at the High Court in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

In the interim ruling on Friday, the court also barred the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, from receiving or acting on any communication from members of the Assembly concerning the constitution of a panel of inquiry into the alleged misconduct against the two top officials.

The order, granted by Justice F.A. Fiberesima, specifically prevents the Chief Judge from accepting, forwarding, considering or acting on any request, resolution or impeachment-related documents allegedly sent by the lawmakers for a period of seven days.

The court further ruled on the mode of service of the legal processes, granting the claimants permission to serve the interim injunction and other originating court documents on the first to 31 defendants by pasting them at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.

Justice Fiberesima also directed that the Chief Judge, listed as the 32nd defendant in the case, should be served through any staff member of the judiciary at his chambers located within the High Court premises.

The interim order is expected to remain in force for seven days, pending further proceedings in the matter.